Marzipan and Me

In just one month, my daughter will graduate from culinary school, and in April she will begin working as a member of society. Last month, she brought home these little beavers (a boy? a girl?) saying, “I made them out of marzipan.” Since that day, they have been sitting proudly on our dining table. Every time we sit down for a meal, our eyes meet, and little by little I’ve grown quite attached to them.

When I asked her, “How long are you going to keep them?” she casually replied, “Maybe until they rot…” Oh—so they will rot? Somehow that made me feel a little sorry for them. As of today, they don’t seem to have rotted yet, and they are still sitting on the table as usual. To my daughter who made them, they may be like her own adorable children. Even so, it seems they will be thrown away once they spoil.

Our Creator loves us dearly because He is the One who made us. Unlike marzipan, even though we sometimes “rot,” we are not discarded. Instead, in order to restore us from that state, He gave us His Son, Jesus. When I think about that, I can’t help but feel grateful that we are not marzipan. Thankful.

By Maki Goto

 

Event Info Useful for Returnees February, 2026

◎Southern Kanto Small Groups (Japan)
Yokohama plus SG: Every Tuesday 20:00 (female only, online)
Nagomi House Ogikubo SG: 2 Saturdays per month (in person, female only)
Ochami SG (Ochanomizu): Every Wednesday 19:00 at Ochanomizu.
Joy Toko (Tokorozawa): 2 Fridays or Saturdays per month (in person)
Hibarigaoka related SG: Every 2nd Saturday (in person)
If you are interested in joining, please contact us.
Contact: smallgroup@jcfn.org

◎Re-Conn: Returnee Cafe (Japan, Tokyo)
Time: Saturday, February 14th 14:30〜17:00
Location: Double O Cross Church (Kichijoji, Tokyo)
https://www.re-conn.jp/
More events such as Christmas party and Bible study are organized by Re-Conn. Please check the website for the details.

◎JCFN Japan Online Prayer Meeting V.OCHAHOP〜 (Japan, online)
Time: Saturday, February 14th 10:00〜11:00 am
Zoom link

◎INSPA Prayer Meeting (Japan, online)
February 8th (Sunday) 20:00~ (2nd Sunday of every month)
On Zoom (Meeting ID: 979 2868 4925 Passcode: 144507)
https://zoom.us/j/97928684925?pwd= Nm5SR0dTc3RIVnpnaVl4MjNjaUFqQT 09
*Let’s remember and pray for the Returnees Ministry, INSPA, and the returnees in the Tokai region.
*The prayer meeting is open to anyone who has participated in INSPA in the past, or who lives or is from the Tokai area.
Facebook Group Link
Instagram Link
Contact: Facebook or inspire-union@hotmail.co.jp

◎Tsu-Na-Gu (Japan, online and in-person, Chugoku area)
Gathering for 20s returnees in Chugoku area
Online: Friday, 6th and 20th of February, from 20:30-
in-person: Saturday, February 21st 19:30-
Contact JCFN office at: nihon@jcfn.org

◎Konnect:Hand-Rolled Sushi Party (Japan, Kanagawa)
Date & Time: Monday 23rd February, 12:00–14:30
Venue: Community Hall in a residential building near Yokohama Bay Quarter

◎GiFT Valentine’s Table Talk (Japan, Tokyo)
Date: Saturday, February 28 16:00-20:00
Location: JCFN Japan office at OCC #312
Target: Returnees aged 35 or under
Instagram
Facebook
Please DM via SNS.

◎R35+ Online Gathering February: “To Love” (Japan, online)
Saturday, February 21, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Zoom (registration required to receive the link)
Speaker: Eiko Takamizawa
R35+ is a gathering for returnees aged 35 and over, offering a place to find rest and encouragement.
The theme for this time is “To Love.” Together, we will reflect on what it means to love within the relationships that adults encounter and experience in their lives.
Registration Form: https://forms.gle/ZNbnxbwCig87Mo9y8
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 18
Contact: r35up.jcfn@gmail.com

◎🌼【GRC Hiking Club – Mt. Hodo Winter Hike】🌼 (Japan)
Let’s hike the peaceful Nagatoro Alps and enjoy the fragrant wintersweet blossoms at Mt. Hodo!
Beginner-friendly trail, ropeway descent, local food & hot springs included✨
📅 Date: Feb 11 ( National Holiday)
☔ Rain date: Feb 23 ( National Holiday)
🚉 Meet: Nogami Station / End: Seibu-Chichibu Station
👣 Max: 12 people (6 spots already taken, 6 still available!)
📩 Sign-up: joyfulemiko@yahoo.co.jp (Kijima)
🗓️ Deadline: Jan 31
🔸 Details shared via LINE after sign-up
🔸 Casual online meet-up beforehand
🔸 Returnees, spiritual seekers, and first-timers all welcome!
Feel free to invite friends and join us 😊

📘Kansai Returnees Online Bible Study📕(Japan, Online)
When: 2nd & 4th Thursdays of each month
Time: 8:30–10:00 PM (JST)
Where: Zoom
Who: Returnees living in the Kansai area, and Anyone connected with them
What: We study the Bible together using the “M28” Bible study method.It was previously women-only, but now men are also welcome.
Contact: If you are interested, please contact JCFN, and we will connect you with the coordinator.

◎English Afternoon Tea (Japan, Chiba)
Tea and coffee, chat time in English or Japanese, Bible study English (free participation)
Feb.. 7th 2:30pm-5:00pm
Shinden 1-16-14, Ichikawa, Chiba

◎English Gathering (Japan, Online)
Twice a month Tue. 10:00-11:15am
https://www.re-conn.jp/english-conversation-2

◎ZOOM C-WIT 2026 Winter (North America, online, Japanese only)
Date & Time: Saturday, February 21st, 2026, 9:00–10:30 AM (California Time)
Location: ZOOM (The link will be sent to those who register.)
Program Includes: Testimony (Eiro Fukuda)、Reflection、Listening Time
Fee: Free
For inquiries, please contact: ushq@jcfn.org

◎WINGS Youth Ministry (North America, CA)
 (It is California time)
1) WINGS: First Saturday of every month at 5:00 PM
・Date & Time: February 7, 5pm – 8:30pm
・Location: RISE OC Church(3198-B Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626)
2) Weekly Online Devotion Every Monday at 8:00 PM.
3) Weekly Online Bible Study Every Thursday at 5:00 PM (West Coast Time).
・ All programs are bilingual youth ministries! Junior high and high school students, come join us!
・ Instagram: @goyouthwings
・ Contact: goyouthla@gmail.com

◎APU Friday (North America, CA)
・Southern CA, at Azusa Pacific University
・Friday at 7 pm, 2/27, Very first Friday of this semester. (2/27, 3/6, 3/20, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5 / 8, 5/15)
https://www.instagram.com/friday_jo/
Games, meals, heartwarming worship and sharing! Come together with your not-yet Christian friends!

◎RJC International Conference (Reaching Japanese for Christ)(North America, OR)
・Location: Village Church(330 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005)
・Dates: February 19-21.
https://rjcnetwork.org/conference/
You can learn and be equipped about Japan mission in Japanese and English, and get connected with those who are likeminded people. This is the best opportunity. Please register from here. Registration Site

◎JXJ (North America, WA)
ISI House in Seattle
・Time: Every third Saturday of the month, February 21st 4:30-8:00 pm
https://www.instagram.com/jxjseattle/
Games, meals, heartwarming worship and sharing! Come together with your not-yet Christian friends!

◎Connect Conference 26 (Europe, London🇬🇧)
CoCo26 Theme「Here I am! Send me!」
・Date:27th – 29th March 2026
・Venue:ECCJ London Japanese Church
CoCo26 LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/coco_connectconference_jcfnomf
Contact:cocoreturnees@gmail.com
Participants are gathering not only from Europe but from all over the world!
Early bird registration is available until the end of February (final deadline mid-March).
We look forward to your participation! 😊

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